The opioid pandemic has had a devastating impact on communities across the United States. In 2020, more than 93,000 people died from drug overdoses, most of which involved opioids. As COVID-19 took the headlines, and has since waned, the opioid crisis remains a growing problem, costing the US billions each year. For Rachel Meier, the crisis hit on a personal level as she struggled with opioid addiction after a devastating car accident. For Dr. Renee Manworen, a pediatric pain specialist, advocating for responsible prescriptive use has become her calling to educate healthcare providers. Additionally, there is a need to increase the awareness, availability, and use of naloxone, an opioid antagonist (reversal agent) for overdoses.
